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How to get there by Air
As Australia is a fair distance from just about everywhere, the only way to get to it is by air. There are many flights from all parts of the world going to Australia. Finding one from near you shouldn't be a problem. One can fly direct to Australia from Africa, Europe, America and Asia. Australia's two main airports are at Sydney and Melbourne. If it's possible, avoid Sydney as it is used beyond capacity, making delays an inevitable part of the trip. There are no direct international flights to the capital, Canberra.
Flights might be heavily booked during the peak season from October to April, especially around Christmas, so book in advance. An airport tax is incorporated into the price of the ticket. It's not altogether unusual to get good discounts, as many airlines fly to Australia. But make sure you go to a good travel agent so that you are not left stranded at some vague airport.
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Getting Around
How you want to get around Australia depends primarily on how much time you have. If you have a week, think only of flying. A week or even two weeks isn’t really time enough to see the whole country. If you can, plan on spending a month, and you'll come away with a good idea of what Australia is about. It's huge. Cities and places may look close to one another on a map, but they're not. Distances between places can be upwards of a 1000kms. If you choose to drive, 500 km a day could be the minimum distance you may need to cover, a daunting task indeed.
By Air:
All of Australia is well connected by air - crucial to long distance travel. State capitals and major tourist destinations have regular services, the interiors can be accessed by chartered flights. The best part about air travel in Australia is the variety of discounts one can get. All non -Australian residents could get discounts on the domestic airlines by showing their international tickets – check for latest schemes. Student discounts are aplenty - foreign students may need to produce an identity card. In addition, special air passes like Backpackers Pass, Kangaroo Air Pass, Boomerang Pass etc are also on offer.
Pass Alert! Check out Backpackers Pass, Kangaroo Air Pass and Boomerang Pass.
By Bus:
Bus travel is a great way to see Australia and fortunately also happens to be the cheapest. You really get a sense of how large Australia is and a feel of the country. An added bonus: you get to see the landscape changing from one climatic zone to another. You can get a decent bus ride for a reasonable price from one place to another, with good and efficient service. Most coaches have toilets, videos and smoking/no smoking zones. The various coach companies cover Australia comprehensively and go to all the small towns and villages that the train networks can’t reach.
By Train:
Train travel in Australia is slow, time consuming, and not very economical. But apart from hiring your own car, it’s certainly the best and easiest way to travel across Australia. You'll get to go through places you wouldn't otherwise stop by. Australia has three interstate railroad network operated by the Great Southern Railway 1321.
• The Ghan - Melbourne to Alice Springs via Adelaide.
• Indian Pacific - Sydney to Perth.
• Overland - Melbourne to Adelaide.
• Queensland Rail operates train services between Brisbane and Cairns.
Massive discounts of up to 40% are available on a first come basis, but you generally do get a discount even if you buy tickets on the day of departure. Students can get discounts of up to 50% on economy fares. There are also special passes available for different areas and durations of travel.
By Road:
Without doubt the best way to travel around Aussieland! If you have the license, the money and the will, then there are lots of ways to drive around Australia. Just rent a car from any one of the many rental agencies in the country. Roads are relatively safe and for the most part sealed, though speed limits are high on the highways. Just keep the blood alcohol level within 0.05% and you shouldn't have a problem. All kinds of fuel is available but in the outback distances between service stations can stretch long and while in the outback fuel prices are lower, it is usually high in the cities.
All you adventurous ones, hire a 4WD to explore the unbeaten tracks and really get a feel of the Australian outback. In the summer it’s advisable to carry 5 liters of water per person per day. The heat can be intense and the areas remote. Carrying a HF radio transceiver or a satellite phone is a good idea. Avoid a trip between October and April, as they are the hottest months of the year. Also carry a towrope in case of car breakdowns for another car to pull yours till the next service station. Once fully equipped, outback tracks can be loads of fun. But always be well equipped and careful, as the outback is not a place to get stranded in especially not on a vacation.
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